MSI X99A SLI overview

1Description

Built with performance and business solutions in mind, the X99A SLI LGA 2011-3 ATX Motherboard from MSI is designed to fit in cases that support an ATX form factor. This 12.0 x 9.6" motherboard supports Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition processors for the LGA 2011-3 socket and the Intel X99 chipset.

The ATX form factor of the X99A Workstation has eight DIMM slots that are able to support up to 128GB of quad-channel unbuffered ECC or non-ECC memory, or registered (buffered) ECC memory, plus Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules. The supported memory speeds are 3333 (OC), 3200 (OC), 3000 (OC), 2933 (OC), 2800 (OC), 2666 (OC), 2600 (OC), 2400, 2200 (OC), and 2133 MHz. There are a total of ten SATA III 6 Gb/s ports, one M.2 slot (Key M) that supports PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA III 6 Gb/s devices with form factors of 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110, one U.2 port that supports PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe storage, and one SATA Express port that supports PCIe 2.0 x2. Additionally, there are three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots that support x16, x16/x16, and x8/x16/x8 with 40-lane CPUs, as well as x16, x16/x8, and x8/x8/x8 modes with 28-lane CPUs, and two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. There is one 10 Gb/s USB 3.1 Type-C port, one 10 Gb/s USB 3.1 Type-A port, four 5 Gb/s USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and four 480 Mb/s USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the back panel, while internally, there are four USB 3.0 ports and four USB 2.0 ports available through the internal USB connectors. Using the Realtek ALC1150 audio codec, this motherboard can support 7.1-channel (7 speakers + 1 subwoofer) HD audio, and network connectivity is achieved using Intel's Gigabit LAN controller.

Graphically, the X99A SLI has integrated multi-GPU support for 3-way AMD CrossFire technology and 3-way NVIDIA SLI technology. While it is not equipped with an integrated graphics controller, this will allow users to purchase a compatible dedicated graphics card of their choice.

The X99A SLI LGA 2011-3 ATX Motherboard has been designed with features such as CLICK BIOS 5, M-Cloud, Audio Boost, Total Fan Control, reinforced PCIe slots, CPU overvoltage protection, Military Class 5 components, double ESD protection, and more. Protection is provided by a limited 3-year warranty.

General Features

Memory Performance and Stability

With traditional memory design, the memory signals are often distorted by electromagnetic signals from other components, making the system perform slower or become unstable. MSI introduces DDR4 Boost technology with optimized traces and fully isolated memory circuitry. This design ensures the memory signals stay pure for optimal performance and stability.

Turbo U.2

A Turbo U.2 connector delivers performance up to 32 Gb/s and allows support for 2.5" SSDs using the U.2 connector.

Turbo M.2

Delivering speeds up to 32 Gb/s using PCIe Gen3 x4, Turbo M.2 is more than 5 times faster than a regular SATA III 6 Gb/s connection. Enjoy a fast system boot up and loading of applications and games.

SATA Express

SATA Express offers a solution in high speed storage through PCI Express, providing more bandwidth for the SSDs up to 16 Gb/s.

OC Genie 4

OC Genie is a built-in hardware overclocking technology on motherboards. With this one-second overclocking option, MSI is giving you even more performance. Just hit the button and your PC gets another adrenaline shot.

CLICK BIOS 5

Explore the improved CLICK BIOS 5 and use it to tune your system for increased performance. MSI CLICK BIOS 5 is the next generation UEFI BIOS with optimizations for Windows 10. Control your system in two modes: EZ mode, for the most used settings and functions, and Advanced mode for more detailed settings and fine-tuning options to boost your system's performance.

Networking

This motherboard uses an Intel Gigabit network adapter.

M-Cloud

MSI's M-Cloud is a convenient and secure way of saving personal files in the cloud. M-Cloud simplifies complicated settings with a user friendly interface and is easy to learn. Build and maintain your personal cloud with ease. M-Cloud can also turn your PC into an Access Point. You can easily share a wireless network or internet signal to other devices through just a few simple steps.

Titanium Choke

Titanium Choke uses a Titanium core that has better abilities in thermal and higher temperature tolerance. This allows the Titanium Choke to run at a temperature of 428°F / 220°C, have a 40% higher current capacity, a 30% improvement in power efficiency, and better overclocking power stability.

DarkCAP

With their aluminum core design, Dark CAP's have been a staple in high-end mainboard designs and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), as well as its over-10-year lifespan.

EZ Debug LED

MSI's EZ Debug LED is an easy troubleshooting tool using three LEDs to indicate CPU / Memory / VGA operation every time you boot up your system. Run into trouble? Use the LEDs to easily identify the source of your problem and get back into operation quickly.

Enhanced CPU Overvoltage Protection

Onboard overvoltage protection helps prevent overvoltage and short-circuit damage to the CPU and other components. A red LED near the 24-pin CPU power connector lets you know that overvoltage protection is activated for easier troubleshooting.

Worried about damaging the PCI Express slot or your graphics card because of the weight? Steel Armor has more solder points on the PCB for more strength and protects the PCI Express signals against electromagnetic interference for a stutter-free gaming experience and higher GPU overclocking.

Total Fan Control

Total Fan Control gives you complete control of all your fans connected to the motherboard, through an easy to use interface.

Full control of fans through 4-pin fan headers

Real-time monitor fan speeds & temperatures

Intuitive, easy to use application design

Set profiles

Log fan speed, voltage, and temperature status

WHQL Certified, Windows 10 Ready

Benefit from great compatibility and a worry-free user experience when using Microsoft Windows 8 / 8.1 or Windows 10 with MSI PRO Series motherboards. MSI received official Microsoft Windows 10 WHQL certification. With a true testament to compatibility and performance, the MSI R&D team ensures a worry-free experience when using the latest version of Microsoft Windows on virtually any MSI PRO Series motherboard.

Audio Boost

With Audio Boost, MSI delivers high sound quality through the use of premium quality audio components. That way, you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music through 6-channel audio or high impendence headphones and truly dominate the game.

7.1 Audio Jacks

With high quality audio connectors you get the strong signal output with less chance of distortion.

Isolated Audio PCB

Audio Boost acts like a dedicated soundcard by physically isolating the audio circuitry to give you a clearer audio signal.

Convenient use of the front panel audio output while retaining high quality sound.

Separated Audio Layers

Equal sound quality for left & right channel audio through the use of separated layers in the PCB.

Anti-Popcorn Noise

Audio Boost protects your ears against annoying loud popping sounds when you plug devices in or out or turn your PC on/off.

10 Gb/s USB 3.1 Type-C & Type-A

Transferring your favorite games, music, and movies over USB has never been faster. USB 3.1 enables lightning fast transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s. Its reversible Type-C connector allows for the effortless connecting of compatible USB devices whether oriented right-side up or upside down, while the Type-A connector is compatible with standard Type-A devices and ports.

Quad Front USB 3.0

With a cleverly placed 5 Gb/s USB 3.0 front pin header on MSI motherboards, you can connect up to four USB 3.0 devices directly to the front of your PC's chassis. This way, you can easily enjoy fast USB speeds without having to use the hard-to-reach USB ports at the rear.

Double ESD Protection

The front USB 3.0 ports on MSI motherboards are protected by a set of protective ICs to help prevent damage caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from plugging/unplugging USB devices.